Music has the power to bring people together like no other art form. At the risk of sounding cliché, I’ll keep this introduction short. But I’m a firm believer that music really is one of the only things that can help bridge the ever-widening gap between so many communities today. You don’t need to understand the lyrics you’re trying to sing to enjoy the song, and you don’t need to know the people you’re dancing with to appreciate their culture. Below are some of the favorite places I’ve come across during my time abroad via Northeastern, for going to shows and listening to live music. And keep in mind, it’s totally possible to travel to all of these places on a student budget. So next time RyanAir is having a $50 flash sale on European flights, get on that.
Most Intimate Setting:
Ireland
I have a love affair with Ireland, so this post might be a bit biased. Traditional, homey, and welcoming…the Irish music and pub scene encompasses everything I love about the country, and is the antithesis to its English cousin across the sea. While Ireland is known around the world for their pubs, it’s the live musicians you find inside them that attribute the most to that authentic feel. They play everything from traditional songs in Irish, to contemporary songs that everyone sings along to, such as Galway Girl (a classic). They’re not just singing for the crowds, they’re performing with the crowd. Maybe that’s what Cask ‘n Flagon and Lansdowne in Fenway are missing…
But the performances aren’t confined to just pubs— Grafton Street that runs through south Dublin boasts lots of busking musicians, and a movie was actually even made about it. You can visit the same music shop that’s featured in “Once”, where the characters play the song that actually won them an Oscar that year. The Irish are extremely passionate about keeping their storied past alive through their music, which is evident at every performance whether on the street, at a bar, or in the countryside.
Coolest Venues:
France
Jazz, electronic, afro-funk…you name it, Paris has it. And at each of these performances, you’ll find groups of people super passionate about whatever new budding artist is on display. And because it all takes place in a city renowned for its artistic charm, all of these diverse music scenes can be found in some really cool spots around town.
One example is Le Rex club, a theatre built in the 1930’s art deco style, and has now been declared a national monument by the French government. It is the largest performance space in Paris, and has hosted everyone from huge names like Radiohead (I would’ve killed to have gone to that), to local techno DJ’s. And the other day, the Eiffel Tour itself held an event to celebrate the 300th million visitor to the tower. On each floor of the tower they had a different music set-up, such as a jazz band on the top-floor, and live DJ’s on the lower-floor. I completely forgot how much I hated heights until I got up there and tried to enjoy myself. There are also tons of open air bars and clubs that are either on rooftops by the river, or on actual boats. The riverbanks of the Seine are filled with docked boats used as restaurants and bars, most of which don’t even make trips anymore.
But it’s not just the city of love and light that has great venues in France. I went to a festival that was held on the beach in Cannes, right outside where the Cannes Film Festival is held. We could see the red carpet right behind the stage Flume was playing on. And that same trip, we went to a jazz show at a chateau perched on cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean. Moments like those are when I find myself thanking the stars I ended up going to Northeastern…
For the Summer:
GreeCE
I visited Greece a couple years ago with my friends, and we really did not know what we had signed up for. Like Las Vegas, many of the islands of Greece—such as Ios or Mykonos— center around party tourism. But unlike Vegas, Greece is cheap, has beautiful beaches, and is home to some of the most famous UNESCO Heritage sites in the world. Nightlife is a large part of Greek culture, so there’s always something to do all hours of your visit.
Because it’s such a huge party destination, lots of famous acts and DJ’s pass through the Greek islands. The most popular are the beach clubs, where you can split your time between tanning, swimming in the crystal-clear water, or listening to music by the bar. And if you’re not into that scene, there are tons of oceanside restaurants and lounges that cater to different music tastes. Many people go straight to Ibiza to party, but in my opinion, the many islands of Greece offer up so much more variety in both nightlife and general culture.
Best Festival:
Belgium
Now if you’re looking to go to a festival during your time studying abroad in Europe, you have tons of choices depending on which semester you study abroad in. But since summer is festival season, you’ll definitely have more options if you study abroad your fall semester, or even after a Dialogue. Several of my friends at Sciences Po decided to take advantage of their Euro-trip and went to Glastonbury—which is like the rainier, colder version of Coachella— before coming to Paris.
But if you’re even remotely interested in electronic music, then Tomorrowland in Belgium is the place to be. It’s the ultimate international, musical experience. I wasn’t even interested in the artists headlining, but I had heard such amazing things about the festival that I knew I had to check it out. Imagine if everyone studying abroad convened in one spot for 4 days, all passionate about the same thing. Okay…they’re not exactly all students, but that’s what it feels like! People travel from all over the world for this one amazing weekend, and you have the opportunity to connect with people you would never meet in daily life. The sense of community is almost overwhelming on the campgrounds and festival itself, with your neighbors becoming some of the closest friends you’ll make that weekend.
So there you have it, some of my person favorite places for live music all around Europe. You can’t go wrong in any country though, as they each have characteristics that makes their musical scene their own. Keep an open mind and give everything a chance! You’ll be surprised at some of the stuff you end up liking and taking back with you to America.
